Electrochromic Glass VS Smart Film - Is PDLC Smart Film Better?
Posted by Florida Window Films on 9:55 AM
Smart Glass can be considered a generic term designated for glass, or glazing systems, that control the amount of light, heat and privacy when electricity is applied. Smart glass and Smart Film can be a great alternative to blinds, curtains or other window treatments, and allow privacy, heat rejection an UV protection while still allowing light transmission.
Smart glass technologies include electrochromic, photochromic, suspended particle, and Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal technology.
The purpose and design of Smart Glass systems might be the same, but the manufacturing process and technology behind the different systems can be very different. Some of the drawbacks of Smart Glass systems can be material cost, durability, lifespan and speed of control. Other negatives can be the cost of installation and electricity usage. Smart Glass systems also can lack key features, such as dimming capabilities and the ability to control the degree of transparency, which Smart Films can offer.
Darkening occurs from the edges, moving inward, and is a slow process, ranging from many seconds to several minutes depending on window size. Electrochromic glass provides visibility even in the darkened state and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It has been used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors. Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, for example, for protection of objects under the glass of museum display cases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV and visible wavelengths of artificial light. Recent advances in electrochromic materials pertaining to transition-metal hydride electrochromics have led to the development of reflective hydrides, which become reflective rather than absorbing, and thus switch states between transparent and mirror-like.
The downside to electrochromic glass systems are its high cost, slow transition time, and no retro fit application. Whole window systems must be replaced.
PDLC Smart Films utilize LCD technology by introducing polymers into the liquid crystals. When electricity is applied to Smart Film, each liquid crystal lines up parallel, allowing light to pass through and creating transparency in the glass. When the electric charge is removed, the liquid crystals return to their scattered state and become randomly oriented, creating an opaque state which allows light but provides privacy.
Smart Films are perfect for existing windows, and can be installed at a fraction of the cost compared to electrochromic glass. Transition time between clear and opaque is also much quicker, usually milliseconds, when compared to electrochromic glass systems.
Overview - Smart Film VS Electrochromic Glass Systems:
Contact us for a free estimate on your Smart Film needs
Have a question about Smart Film? Leave us a comment below.
Smart glass technologies include electrochromic, photochromic, suspended particle, and Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal technology.
The purpose and design of Smart Glass systems might be the same, but the manufacturing process and technology behind the different systems can be very different. Some of the drawbacks of Smart Glass systems can be material cost, durability, lifespan and speed of control. Other negatives can be the cost of installation and electricity usage. Smart Glass systems also can lack key features, such as dimming capabilities and the ability to control the degree of transparency, which Smart Films can offer.
Electrochromic Glass
Electrochromic Glass systems alter light transmission by applying a low voltage supply and thus allow control over the amount of light and heat passing through. In electrochromic windows, the electrochromic material changes its opacity between a colored, translucent state (usually blue), to a transparent state. A burst of electricity is required for changing its opacity, but once the change has been effected, no electricity is needed for maintaining the particular shade which has been reached.Darkening occurs from the edges, moving inward, and is a slow process, ranging from many seconds to several minutes depending on window size. Electrochromic glass provides visibility even in the darkened state and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It has been used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors. Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, for example, for protection of objects under the glass of museum display cases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV and visible wavelengths of artificial light. Recent advances in electrochromic materials pertaining to transition-metal hydride electrochromics have led to the development of reflective hydrides, which become reflective rather than absorbing, and thus switch states between transparent and mirror-like.
The downside to electrochromic glass systems are its high cost, slow transition time, and no retro fit application. Whole window systems must be replaced.
Smart Film
Smart Film is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal material (PDLC). Most consumers are familiar with Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). LCD's are used in many different types of consumer electronics, from flat panel televisions, to smart phones, tablets, clocks, calculators and more. Liquid crystals, when electricity is applied, are able to change shape and color, displaying images, figures and numbers.PDLC Smart Films utilize LCD technology by introducing polymers into the liquid crystals. When electricity is applied to Smart Film, each liquid crystal lines up parallel, allowing light to pass through and creating transparency in the glass. When the electric charge is removed, the liquid crystals return to their scattered state and become randomly oriented, creating an opaque state which allows light but provides privacy.
Smart Films are perfect for existing windows, and can be installed at a fraction of the cost compared to electrochromic glass. Transition time between clear and opaque is also much quicker, usually milliseconds, when compared to electrochromic glass systems.
Overview - Smart Film VS Electrochromic Glass Systems:
PDLC Smart Films
- Can be installed on interior and exterior windows
- Extremely fast transition times (less than a second)
- Can be installed on existing windows
- More affordable than other smart glass systems
- Provides privacy, heat rejection and UV protection
- Dimmable
- Is available as a Smart Film and a Laminated Smart Glass
Electrochromic Glass Systems
- Only for exterior window applications
- Slow transition time, large windows can take up to 10 minutes
- Window systems must be replaced, not good for retro-fit applications
- Does not offer privacy
- Can be cost prohibitive compared to Smart Film
Contact us for a free estimate on your Smart Film needs
Have a question about Smart Film? Leave us a comment below.
